DON'T PRAY TO ME

15. The Slatum

Cosman manages to get Rachel an early graduation based on her merits and threatening the school's Deirci administration to take action against Ariek Trazek otherwise. Along with that, Cosman arranges for a suitable job for Rachel under the mentorship of his friend Betty, a Dhamen researcher.

While Slade and his friends return to school for LE, Rachel visits her home to share the good news with her parents and grab her things to relocate for the job. But she never returns.

One of the guards at Cosman's villa goes to the school to tell Cosman and the boys that Rachel hasn't come back yet. Worried, everyone leaves for Decrove while also noting that Ariek is not present in LE.

When they reach Decrove, the neighbors inform them that the family had been taken away by the office of the Deirci Chief, Rale Trazek. Slade's fists tighten. He turns around to go after Rale when Cosman stops him. "Wait, Slade. We have to be smart about this. Any wrong move and Rachel could get hurt. Let's think this through."

Later in the day, Cosman walks into the Trazek Mansion. The guards were expecting visits from Dhamenci so they let him in. Inside, Cosman meets Rale Trazek, a tall muscular man with pale hair. "What brings you here, Cosman?" Rale says.

"I'm here to take my student back," Cosman says.

"Student? But she's no longer in school."

Cosman realizes his mistake of taking Rachel off school early. For as long as she was a student she was protected by the school. But now, her Chief hold's the most power over her.

"Rale, she does not like your son," Cosman says.

Sharp narrow ice cones fly onto Cosman. All but one miss him. A shallow cut appears on Cosman's right cheek. Yet Cosman stands completely unintimidated by Rale's actions. Ariek soon joins his father.

"My son gets whatever he wants. A Dhamen like you have no right to be in his way. Do not forget where you're standing and who you're talking to. The girl is a subject in my jurisdiction. I could charge her for treason just because you're here. But that's not what either of us want for her, do we? She'll have the life of a princess with my son, Cosman. So don't meddle in and make life difficult for the poor girl."

"I know she'll have the life of a princess. But your son won't be the prince," Cosman says. 

Ariek smirks. Rale says, "Then who? Ivan's boy? A Dhamen? Do you really believe I'll allow a Deir girl to be with a Dhamen boy, especially when my son wants her?"

"That choice is not yours to make," Ivan Drazeydan says, coming in. He's not alone. He's with Slade, his soldiers and members of the Congress, the highest authority in the world of supernaturals. Rale stands up from his throne, surprised.

One of the congressman says, "We've received information that you're illegally detaining a girl that rightfully belongs with the Drazeydan family. Bring this girl here so we can confirm or reject the claim."

Clenching his jaws, Rale orders Rachel to be brought here. Soon Rachel walks in with two guards at her side. Her face instantly shows relief at seeing Slade here.

"This girl has committed treason by praying to a Dhamen. We'll deal with her according to our law. There's no need for the Congress to interfere," Rale says.

The Congressmen and Ivan Drazeydan exchange glances before the man from before looks at Rachel and says, "We've been informed you're willing to be Slade Drazeydan's Ittere. Is that true?"

Rachel looks at Slade. Slade nods. Rachel wants to say yes but she worries about her parents.

"Your family is under the council's protection," the man says.